Delirious?

IAN CLARKE

UEA LCR, Norwich

Once upon a time there was a story that Christian men are wimps and all Christian music is naff.

But then along came bands like Delirious? who blew that myth out of the water with performances like the one they gave as their Omnisonic UK tour started at Norwich UEA last night.

Over the years the band - fronted by the ever-energetic Martin Smith - have proved Christians can produce really good quality music which can punch its way on its own merit in the charts.

And hundreds of people in the packed venue last night were left in no doubt that Delirious? are as fresh, fun and powerful as ever.

Their moving experiences of seeing some horror sights in Asia during the summer are influences for the lyrics of their new songs including Break The Silence, which they preformed live for only the second time.

Smith has the ability to get the crowd bouncing and singing and he performs his famous walks on the audience's shoulders and then seconds later changes the tone to a prayerful hush.

The 90-minute set blended the new material with “oldies” such as History Maker and Majesty.

“You are a good crowd!” Smith told the massed ranks to their delight and Delirious? weren't half bad either!